A mysterious infection in the Congo called “Disease X” has raised alarm bells among health experts as officials rush to find out what caused it. The outbreak has affected hundreds of people and killed at least 79 since late October.
Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that about 200 of the 376 people suffering from the undiagnosed flu-like illness were children under the age of five. Most of the deaths occurred in people between the ages of 15 and 18. Congo’s health ministry said in X that the disease, of “still unknown origin,” was first discovered in the southwestern province of Kwango.
Symptoms including fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath and anemia were initially reported on October 24 and national authorities were alerted on December 1.
Addressing reporters on Thursday, Kaseya said, ‘We have a delay of about five to six weeks, a lot can happen in five to six weeks. Ongoing testing will help us understand what the problem is. “
Reacting to the growing number of infected, Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said, “We are on maximum alert. We consider this an epidemic level that we need to monitor. ” Authorities have urged people to wash their hands with soap and water, avoid crowds and avoid handling bodies of dead people without qualified medical personnel.
What do we know about disease X so far?
A mysterious flu-like illness has emerged during periods of intense influenza activity. According to the Director General of the National Institute of Public Health, Dieudon Mwamba, the disease is likely to be transmitted through the air. Samples from patients are being analyzed at a national laboratory in Kinshasa, about 500 kilometers (311 miles) from the outbreak area. Health officials expect results within 48 hours, with findings to be shared over the weekend.
The outbreak, years after the Covid-19 pandemic forced countries to close borders and halt economic and social activities, has renewed global concerns about the emergence of new pathogens that could spread globally. Earlier this year, the spread of a new strain of mpox prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern, although its spread outside Africa remains limited.
An official from the WHO Africa region said BBC Teams have been sent to remote areas to collect samples for laboratory analysis. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has an office in Congo, is also providing technical assistance to a rapid response team deployed by the local emergency operations center.
Response teams have been sent to Quang Ninh province to manage the incidents and investigate the nature of the disease. Officials have reiterated the importance of calm and vigilance to the public, urging them to adhere to preventive measures.
(With input from The Associated Press)